Arman Tsarukyan’s weekend just got much worse.
The 28-year-old Armenian was supposed to compete in UFC 311‘s main event tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025), but during the early morning weigh-ins yesterday, Tsarukyan didn’t show up because of a lingering back injury, and he was pulled from the fight.
After Islam Makhachev ran through Renato Moicano in one round (watch highlights), everyone thought Tsarukyan would immediately get booked for the Lightweight title again, but that’s not happening.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed during the UFC 311 post-fight press conference (watch here) that Tsarulyan will be placed at the back of the line.
“No,” White told the media when asked if Tsarukyan would get the next title shot. “He’s going back to the drawing board. I don’t want anybody to fight hurt, ever, but we’ve been in these positions before. We went down there with a doctor, went down there with Heather from the UFC P.I. – who is the best in the world.”
“You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did,” White concluded. “We’ll see how things play out for him next year.”
When a reporter asked White whether he thought Tsarukyan could compete, White said, “I have no idea. I don’t know. Only he knows that.”
It is unknown at this time the extent of “Akhalkalakets'” back injury, even though his coach said he couldn’t sit up, but that didn’t stop good ol’ Michael Chandler from taking a shot after the UFC 311 main event.
“I flew to Sioux Falls, SD, 96 hours before a fight to get 12 injections in my spine to then flew to the fight location. Still showed up. Still made weight. Still fought. Real fighters do,” Chandler wrote.
I flew to Sioux Falls, SD 96 hours before a fight to get 12 injections in my spine to then fly to the fight location. Still showed up. Still made weight. Still fought. Real fighters do…
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 19, 2025
Tsarukyan (22-3) is riding a four-fight win streak and is coming off a big win over Charles Oliveira, who may leapfrog him.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Moicano” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For complete UFC 311 results, highlights, and live play-by-play, click HERE.
